Trading standards is concerned with the promotion of safe and fair trading. Enforcement officers are employed by local councils to offer advice on consumer law, follow up complaints and prosecute traders as necessary.
Officers may choose to specialise in a particular area, while others tackle a whole range of different issues. Typical areas include counterfeit goods, animal welfare, weights and measures, product labelling and underage sales. Much of the work involves visiting traders’ premises to carry out routine checks or as part of an investigation. Duties include checking labelling, taking samples and assessing the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices
Those working in this field must normally have a degree in consumer protection. Other accepted degrees include those in law, retail management and food science, either of which would need to be backed up by a postgraduate diploma/MSc in trading standards. Graduates who manage to secure a trainee position are then required to pass the Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS).
Training salaries are between £16,000 and £22,000 a year. Qualified rates are from £27,000 to £37,000, with senior and management position offering up to £50,000.